Deputy Director of Planning

City of Rancho Cucamonga • Rancho Cucamonga, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Rancho Cucamonga, known as the "City with a Plan," is seeking a Deputy Director of Planning to help shape its future. This role is crucial in translating the City Council's goals for land use, urban design, and the built environment into actionable policy and high-quality development outcomes. The department focuses on creating holistic communities by integrating buildings, streets, public spaces, infrastructure, and natural systems. The Deputy Director will guide this approach, balancing technical requirements, design quality, community values, and economic vitality in both infill and redevelopment projects. The department also leads complex long-range planning efforts in areas such as housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability, with the Deputy Director playing a key role in shaping and implementing these initiatives.

Requirements

• Graduation from college with a Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, or a related field.
• Six or more years of increasingly responsible professional planning and zoning experience, including employee supervision, project management, community participation, and related work.
• A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of professional and technical personnel.
• Ability to select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Ability to identify and respond to Planning Commission, City Council, and staff issues, concerns and needs.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Ability to formulate work plans.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise administrative reports and make effective presentations at community, management and official levels.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with staff, management, developers, consultants, and other parties on behalf of the City.
• Ability to operate computer hardware and use word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree in Planning, Public Policy, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Professional certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners is highly desirable.
• Experience navigating infill development, redevelopment, and community-scale change.
• Experience operating at both the strategic and operational levels of a planning organization.
• Experience thriving in politically nuanced environments and bringing sound judgment and professionalism to sensitive issues.
• Experience mentoring staff and building strong, collaborative teams.
• A deep commitment to public service and ethical planning practice.

Responsibilities

• Execute the Planning Division’s operations, staffing, and work program.
• Oversee development review and entitlement processes, balancing efficiency, design quality, and community outcomes.
• Navigate politically sensitive and technically complex development proposals with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Mentor and develop professional planning staff and future leaders within the organization.
• Lead and manage complex planning initiatives, including zoning code updates, housing implementation, and infill development projects.
• Serve as an advisor to appointed bodies and elected officials on land use policy, development trends, and planning strategy.
• Represent the department on behalf of the Planning Director as needed, ensuring continuity in leadership and decision-making.

Benefits

• Budget for renewals for professional certifications (AICP, CNU-A, etc.) for staff.
• Investment in continued education with budget for conferences, educational courses, and continuing professional certifications.
• Flexibility of a hybrid schedule option.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager